I've finally seen a direct head-to-head comparison between the D600 and the 6D, and it's not as cut-and-dry as some people seem to think it is. In three areas that are very important to me, the 6D actually wins:

1. ISO range. The 6D has two full stops more high ISO settings at the top of the range. Based on my experience with Canon cameras, I expect this difference to show up in real world performance. This is an extremely important feature to me.

2. AF sensitivity. Yes, the 6D has a very disappointing 11 point AF system. It's irritating that Canon clings to these basic AF units. On the other hand, the AF is one stop more sensitive in low light than the state-of-the-art unit in the 1Dx and 5D Mk III, and two stops more sensitive than the AF in the D600. I love to shoot in ridiculously low levels of light, and coupled with the superior high ISO sensitivity, the 6D would seem to have the advantage in low light situations.

For my style of shooting, this is much more important than dynamic range, and Nikon's sensors lose that advantage at high ISO's.

3. Weight. I've been dying for a smaller, lighter FF camera from Canon. The 6D is a full 80 grams lighter than the D600 with the battery installed. This sounds like an awesome walk-around and backup camera. I intend to buy one to back up my 5D Mk III, as its specs are superior to the Mk II's in ways that are very important to me.

I'm glad some find it good. I suspect the extra ISO stops to be useless for any practical purpose as they often are when the boundaries are pushed just so they can print it on a marketing ad. More likely both cameras will be identical and unless canon resolved its banding noise issues at low ISO, image quality will be practically a non differentiator. As others have said, the one point being extra sensitive remains to be seen how good it actually is but overall the AF system is likely inferior as 1 point won't offset the loss of every cross point besides it. It also can't focus with f/8 minimum aperture lenses so the TC story for this camera is as bad as the new ones.

ultimately there is one definitive thing canon can do to make it better and that is to make it cheaper since it is unlikely to capitalize enough in the few areas that it can as far as specifications go.

This is ridiculous what Canon has done. I have been looking to update my 7D and was really disappointed at the price of the 5DIII. When I saw rumors of the 6D I thought my prayers would be answered and I would get a full frame 7D! This camera is ridiculous. It is a full frame 60D. Maybe this could be a backup camera or something but that is it. I doubt a ton of people want a full frame 60D and are willing to pay $2100 for it. I am so pissed at Canon right now for crippling this so much (and why include wifi & gps?). They could have priced this for $1800 without those or have put in a worthwhile focus system instead. And not even a dual SD card slot?? Ridiculous Canon. Also, i'm pissed at Canon's new extreme pricing, and for making almost no improvements in the last 4 years in video. Even their recent lenses were disappointing, not in performance, but in usability. Who wants a f/2.8 24mm & 28mm prime and why put IS in that and not in the 24-70 f/2.8? Its obvious Canon knew no one would buy the 24 & 28mm lenses if the 24-70 had IS at f/2.8, even if it was $2,500.

The 6D is not a worthy upgrade for 7D users for sure so now the decision is to save up for the 5DIII or switch to Nikon where the D800 & D600, while not perfect, have alot to offer. I could easily get away with the D600 as a main camera and be very happy where the Canon 6D would even be disappointing as a backup. My only full frame capable lens is the 70-200 f/2.8 II and that is probably easy to sell.

No one other than those with the whims expressed on these message boards ever claimed it was an upgrade, let alone "replacement" for a 7D. The 7D2 will be the upgrade to the 7D and it will not be FF, it will probably be a new APS-C sensor with better ISO/IQ like the 6D's sensor is a new FF one and also have some improved AF around speed/sports etc. In fact, Canon's global Japan site places the 6D BEHIND the 7D in it's pecking order...check it out...1D series, 5D, 7D and THEN 6D....then 60D. http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd-e.html

The 6D is an "enthusiast" camera as Canon has clearly stated repeatedly in every announcement and marketing piece globally...a FF 60D basically with much better ISO/IQ. Haven't had my hands on one obviously but the specs look like the build quality is inferior to the 7D/5D as well, no real mention of weather sealing levels and it is not a 100% magnesium alloy body, mostly aluminum to decrease weight. It's not a pro camera, never intended to be one. Everyone seemed to want a "FF 7D" well, they have one already, it came out this past spring and it's called the 5D Mark III.

The 6D is an enthusiast camera to provide an option for those looking to move up from the x0D series or even Rebel that want a FF option but don't want to spend $4K nor need all the pro capabilities. It is an EXCELLENT option to the 7D for those shooting landscape, portraiture etc that don't have kids or photography sports and action. It is also a great option as a B or C cam for event photographers etc. that want to park a portrait prime on it. Why pay for a 5D3 for a B/C cam when you can buy a great piece of glass (or even two lenses) with the difference? For event photographers shooting a 1D series or 5D II/III as primary body, they would prefer the 6D and the new 24-70 L II (or other new glass) to a 5D III and no new glass as their B or C camera option, I assure you.

The 6D will sell...a LOT. It's just like when the 7D was launched to give those moving up from a Rebel to the x0D series another option in 2009... "7D or 50D?? Hmmm...if I buy the 50D will I wish I'd bought the 7D in six months?" Now those looking to move up from an x0D have another option other than a $4K camera in the 5D3 or even a choice of whether a 6D is better for their uses than a 7D...and those multi-body shooters have a much easier path to that second, third or fifth body they've been needing but have done without due to budget.

The 5D3 will be closer to $3K by end of year...watch. My guess is the LIST price (forget the recent Adorama mistake or one-off drama on eBay) of the 5D3 will be $2,999 by the holidays...maybe cheaper if they drop the 6D down to $1,999 etc.

Okay, I've spent some time researching this tonight, but I'm still not too sure. So how is this cross type AF point on the 6D different from the cross type AF point on the 5DII or T3i?

The 5DII and T3i have a center point with one horizontal f/2.8 line and one vertical f/5.6 line - that makes the cross. The f/2.8 line is more accurate, but only works with vertically-oriented features. Worth noting is that all of the 39 cross-type points on the 1DIV are this type, too. for this type point, it's a cross only with an f/2.8 or faster lens (and only half f/2.8-accurate), with an f/4 or slower lens, it's just a single vertical line (although there are f/4 exceptions on the 1-series).

The 1D X, 5DIII, 7D, 40-60D, and T4i have a dual cross center point - an f/5.6 cross in a '+' shape with and f/2.8 cross in an 'x' superimposed. This point type is fully cross type with any lens down to f/5.6.

The 6D center point has an f/5.6 cross in a '+' shape with a single f/2.8 horizontal line '-' superimposed. It behaves like the first type (5DII etc.) with an f/2.8 or faster lens, but is better in that it remains cross type down to f/5.6.

dpreview says: "The EOS 6D does, however offer the same AF microadjust as the 5D Mark III. Adjustments can be made separately for the wide and telephoto ends of zoom lenses, and can also be made per serial-numbered lens (should you have two copies of the same lens that require differing amounts of adjustment)."

samirachiko

The 6D will sell...a LOT. It's just like when the 7D was launched to give those moving up from a Rebel to the x0D series another option in 2009... "7D or 50D?? Hmmm...if I buy the 50D will I wish I'd bought the 7D in six months?"

The 6D Will sell a lot?? HAHAHAHA............ At the same Price you can have something very very very BETTER: Nikon D600! I always loved Canon.... In the 2012 a product like that with that features and with that price is VERY VERY RIDICULOUS. See what the D600 have more for the same price!

This probably means that you will get less cps points (US) or only cps silver (Europe) for the 6d as its not "professional". But this is mostly marketing and doesn't necessarily mean the 6d is worse than 7d/5d2.

dpreview says: "The EOS 6D does, however offer the same AF microadjust as the 5D Mark III. Adjustments can be made separately for the wide and telephoto ends of zoom lenses, and can also be made per serial-numbered lens (should you have two copies of the same lens that require differing amounts of adjustment)."

Well the low rent autofocus system and a top shutter speed less than my current 50D have put my wallet right back in my pocket. I have $2,600 burning a hole in my pocket and I don't think this camera is worth what they are asking. It really looks like they took out as much stuff as possible and hope the "full frame" would sell it. Disappointment. In another 6 months I'll be able to afford a 5D3. I think that is the way to go

Could of just about had one yesterday as they were selling the mark iii for $2750 on Adorama's ebay page.

I've heard that in a number of places. I look at canon price watch daily and I did not see this . Does Adorama have a separate ebay page? Do you have a link? I would have jumped on this but I keep missing these. Thanks

It was certainly there, that's how I got mine. Try signing up for e-mail notification. I got emailed it 11:02 am, and when I went to the ebay page only 1 was sold. It was linked off the usual 5D3 page.

The 6D will sell...a LOT. It's just like when the 7D was launched to give those moving up from a Rebel to the x0D series another option in 2009... "7D or 50D?? Hmmm...if I buy the 50D will I wish I'd bought the 7D in six months?"

The 6D Will sell a lot?? HAHAHAHA............ At the same Price you can have something very very very BETTER: Nikon D600! I always loved Canon.... In the 2012 a product like that with that features and with that price is VERY VERY RIDICULOUS. See what the D600 have more for the same price!

You can't compare what happen with 7D: it's ridicolous!!.....

How old are you? 15? Event shooters with multiple Canon bodies don't even look at Nikon and vice versa. What is so "very very very BETTER" about the D600 grasshopper? It is still a Nikon after all, no?

...and it's exactly like the 7D launch, 60D launch and even 1Dc launch... in that it's another option to choose from... having more choices is always "very very very BETTER".

This probably means that you will get less cps points (US) or only cps silver (Europe) for the 6d as its not "professional". But this is mostly marketing and doesn't necessarily mean the 6d is worse than 7d/5d2.

I'm not familiar with CPS specifics, but I agree, there is no "better/worse"...I think it's just organized by intended market, build quality...the 6D is only a partial alloy body, mostly aluminum and exterior is plastic and rubber like the 60D but a bit more ergonomic by the hands-ons I've read. Canon calls it an "enthusiast" camera and the 7D a "prosumer" (even though clearly it's a pro APS-C camera, build is better than 5D2).